Exogenous hCG Reduces Fetal Losses and Increases Litter Weight in Rangeland Goats During FTAI Protocol

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Animal science
• Veterinary medicine

Background:

• The reproductive transition period in goats is critical for successful pregnancy.
• Early fetal loss and suboptimal litter weight can negatively impact goat production systems.
• Optimizing reproductive strategies during this period is essential for economic viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of two human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) doses (100 and 300 IU) administered at two different times post-fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI).
• To assess the effects on early fetal loss and total litter weight in goats during the reproductive transition.
• To identify optimal hCG administration protocols for enhancing goat reproductive efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Forty crossbred multiparous goats were synchronized and subjected to FTAI.
• Goats were randomly assigned to five groups receiving different hCG doses (100 or 300 IU) or saline control at 7 or 14 days post-FTAI.
• Key reproductive variables including corpus luteum area, implantation rates, embryonic efficiency, conception, fertility, fecundity, fetal losses, and litter weight were measured.

Main Results:

• The group receiving 300 IU of hCG 14 days post-FTAI (G300-14) showed significantly improved outcomes.
• This group exhibited favorable corpus luteum area, embryonic implantation rates, and embryonic efficiency indices.
• G300-14 also demonstrated reduced fetal losses at days 30 and 45, and a higher total litter weight.

Conclusions:

• Administering 300 IU of hCG 14 days post-FTAI is an effective reproductive strategy in goats.
• This protocol significantly reduces early fetal losses and enhances embryonic efficiency.
• The strategy ultimately increases total litter weight, crucial for marginal goat production systems.